U.S. patent number 11,025,135 [Application Number 16/031,829] was granted by the patent office on 2021-06-01 for electrical machine with liquid cooling.
This patent grant is currently assigned to ABB Schweiz AG. The grantee listed for this patent is ABB Schweiz AG. Invention is credited to Ghanshyam Shrestha, Colin E. Tschida.
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United States Patent |
11,025,135 |
Shrestha , et al. |
June 1, 2021 |
Electrical machine with liquid cooling
Abstract
An electrical machine includes a stator including a plurality of
stator windings; and a rotor in magnetic cooperation with the
stator. The rotor includes a plurality of cooling passages
extending therethrough, each cooling passage including an inlet for
receiving oil and an outlet for discharging the oil. The electrical
machine includes a rotating oil distribution member coupled to the
rotor, the oil distribution member including a radially inward
portion and a radially outward portion, the radially outward
portion being disposed adjacent to the inlets of the plurality of
cooling passages. A stationary oil delivery nozzle is constructed
to discharge oil toward the radially inward portion of the oil
distribution member. The oil distribution member is constructed to
receive the oil discharged by the oil delivery nozzle, and to
direct the oil to the inlets of the cooling passages to cool the
rotor.
Inventors: |
Shrestha; Ghanshyam (Cary,
NC), Tschida; Colin E. (Durham, NC) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ABB Schweiz AG |
Baden |
N/A |
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
ABB Schweiz AG (Baden,
CH)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005591754 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/031,829 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20200021169 A1 |
Jan 16, 2020 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02K
5/20 (20130101); H02K 1/32 (20130101); H02K
9/19 (20130101); H02K 3/24 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H02K
3/24 (20060101); H02K 9/19 (20060101); H02K
1/32 (20060101); H02K 5/20 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Remy International, Inc., Remy Hybrid Application Manual Rev. 2.0
(28 pages) https://www.remyinc.com/docs/HVH250R4.com (no date
provided). cited by applicant .
Dynamic E Flow, Capcooltech Technology (2 pages)
http://www.dynamiceflow.com, 2017. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Perez; Bryan R
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Taft Stettinius & Hollister
LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electrical machine, comprising: a stator including a
plurality of stator windings; a rotor in magnetic cooperation with
the stator, the rotor including a plurality of cooling passages
extending therethrough, each cooling passage including an inlet for
receiving oil and an outlet for discharging the oil; a rotating oil
distribution member coupled to the rotor that is constructed to
rotate with the rotor, the rotating oil distribution member
including a radially inward portion and a radially outward portion,
the radially outward portion being disposed adjacent to the inlets
of the plurality of cooling passages; and a stationary oil delivery
nozzle constructed to discharge oil toward the radially inward
portion of the rotating oil distribution member, wherein the
rotating oil distribution member is constructed to receive the oil
discharged by the oil delivery nozzle, and to direct the oil to the
inlets of the cooling passages to cool the rotor.
2. The electrical machine of claim 1, wherein the rotating oil
distribution member is conical.
3. The electrical machine of claim 1, wherein the stator windings
include a winding overhang disposed at least partially directly
radially outward of the outlets of the plurality of cooling
passages; and wherein the outlets are constructed to discharge the
oil and sling the oil outward and into contact with the winding
overhang to cool the winding overhang with the oil.
4. The electrical machine of claim 1, wherein the oil delivery
nozzle is spaced apart axially from the rotating oil distribution
member.
5. An electrical machine, comprising: a stator including a
plurality of stator windings; a rotor in magnetic cooperation with
the stator, the rotor including a plurality of cooling passages
extending therethrough, each cooling passage including an inlet for
receiving oil and an outlet for discharging the oil; a rotating oil
distribution member coupled to the rotor, the rotating oil
distribution member including a radially inward portion and a
radially outward portion, the radially outward portion being
disposed adjacent to the inlets of the plurality of cooling
passages; a stationary oil delivery nozzle constructed to discharge
oil toward the radially inward portion of the rotating oil
distribution member, wherein the rotating oil distribution member
is constructed to receive the oil discharged by the oil delivery
nozzle, and to direct the oil to the inlets of the cooling passages
to cool the rotor, wherein the rotating oil distribution member
includes an inner surface and an outer surface; and wherein the oil
delivery nozzle is constructed to direct the oil to the inner
surface.
6. The electrical machine of claim 5, wherein the oil delivery
nozzle is constructed to direct the oil to a rotating surface; and
wherein the rotating surface is constructed to sling the oil
radially outward and into contact with the inner surface of the
rotating oil distribution member.
7. The electrical machine of claim 5, wherein the rotating oil
distribution member is constructed to increase a pressure of the
oil received from the oil delivery nozzle.
8. The electrical machine of claim 7, wherein the rotating oil
distribution member is constructed to drive the oil into the inlets
of the cooling passages, along and through the cooling passages and
to discharge the oil from outlets of the cooling passages.
9. The electrical machine of claim 5, wherein the oil delivery
nozzle is constructed to direct the oil to the outer surface of the
rotating oil distribution member.
10. The electrical machine of claim 9, wherein the stator windings
include a winding overhang; and wherein the rotating oil
distribution member is disposed at least partially directly
radially inward of the winding overhang and constructed to sling
the oil outward and into contact with the winding overhang to cool
the winding overhang with the oil.
11. An electrical machine, comprising: a stator having a plurality
of stator windings, the stator windings including a first winding
overhang; a rotor in magnetic cooperation with the stator; an oil
distribution member coupled to the rotor, the oil distribution
member being disposed at least partially directly radially inward
of the first winding overhang; and at least one oil delivery nozzle
constructed to discharge oil toward the oil distribution member,
wherein the oil distribution member is constructed to sling the oil
outward and into contact with the first winding overhang to cool
the first winding overhang with the oil, wherein the oil
distribution member is constructed to provide oil cooling to the
rotor and to the stator windings simultaneously.
12. The electrical machine of claim 11, wherein the rotor includes
a plurality of cooling passages extending therethrough, each
cooling passage having an inlet for receiving the oil; wherein the
oil distribution member is constructed to direct oil to the inlets
of the cooling passages and through the cooling passages to cool
the rotor.
13. The electrical machine of claim 12, wherein the stator windings
have a second winding overhang; wherein each cooling passage
includes an outlet for discharging the oil, and wherein the outlets
are constructed to sling the oil into contact with the second
winding overhang to cool the second winding overhang with the
oil.
14. The electrical machine of claim 12, wherein at least one oil
delivery nozzle is constructed to direct the oil to a rotating
surface; and wherein the rotating surface is constructed to sling
the oil radially outward and into contact with the oil distribution
member.
15. The electrical machine of claim 14, wherein the oil
distribution member is constructed to increase a pressure of the
oil received from the oil delivery nozzle and supply pressurized
oil to the inlets of the cooling passages.
16. The electrical machine of claim 11, wherein the oil
distribution member is conical.
17. The electrical machine of claim 11, wherein the at least one
oil delivery nozzle is spaced apart axially from the oil
distribution member.
18. The electrical machine of claim 11, wherein the oil
distribution member includes an inner surface and an outer surface;
and wherein the at least one oil delivery nozzle is constructed to
direct the oil to both the inner surface and the outer surface.
19. The electrical machine of claim 18, wherein the at least one
oil delivery nozzle is constructed to vary the amount of oil
directed to the inner surface and to vary the amount of oil
directed to the outer surface.
20. The electrical machine of claim 11, wherein the at least one
oil delivery nozzle is constructed to vary the amount of oil
provided to the rotor and to vary the amount of oil provided to the
stator windings.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present application relates generally to electrical machines
and more particularly, but not exclusively, to electrical machines
with liquid cooling.
BACKGROUND
Electrical machines remain an area of interest. Some existing
systems have various shortcomings, drawbacks and disadvantages
relative to certain applications. For example, in some electrical
machine configurations, power density may be increased by providing
cooling. Accordingly, there remains a need for further
contributions in this area of technology.
SUMMARY
One embodiment of the present invention is a unique electrical
machine. Another embodiment is another unique electrical machine.
Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware,
methods, and combinations for electrical machines. Further
embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of
the present application shall become apparent from the description
and figures provided herewith.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings
wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
several views, and wherein:
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates some aspects of a non-limiting
example of an electrical machine in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of some
aspects of a non-limiting example of a rotor and a stator of an
electrical machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of some
aspects of a non-limiting example of a rotor and a stator of an
electrical machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 4 schematically illustrates some aspects of a non-limiting
example of an electrical machine in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of
the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments
illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to
describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no
limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any
alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments,
and any further applications of the principles of the invention as
described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one
skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
Referring to FIG. 1, some aspects of a non-limiting example of an
electrical machine 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention are schematically depicted. In one form,
electrical machine 10 is an internal permanent magnet (IPM) motor
employing rare earth magnets. In other embodiments, electrical
machine 10 may be an external permanent magnet motor. In still
other embodiments, electrical machine 10 may be an induction motor,
a switched reluctance, synchronous reluctance, or permanent magnet
assisted reluctance motor, a permanent magnet motor, or any other
type of motor, generator or motor/generator. In various
embodiments, electrical machine 10 may be a radial flux machine, an
axial flux machine or a machine having a three-dimensional (3D)
flux path. In one form, electrical machine 10 is an industrial
electrical machine, e.g., an industrial motor. In other
embodiments, electrical machine 10 may not be an industrial
electrical machine.
Electrical machine 10 includes a shaft 12, a rotor 14 having
permanent magnets (poles) 16, a stator 18 having a plurality of
stator windings 20, a housing 22 and bearings 24. Shaft 12 and
rotor 14 rotate about an axis of rotation 26, which defines an
axial direction 28. In one form, shaft 12 is coupled or affixed to
rotor 14. In other embodiments, shaft 12 may be integral with rotor
14. Shaft 12 rotates with rotor 14, and may be considered a part of
rotor 14.
Shaft 12 is constructed to support rotor 14 and react radial and
axial or thrust loads from rotor 14. In one form, shaft 12 is
operative to transmit mechanical power from electrical machine 10
as an output of electrical machine 10. In other embodiments, shaft
12 may be operative to transmit mechanical power to and/or from
electrical machine 10. Shaft 12 is axially and radially positioned
by bearings 24. Shaft 12 and bearings 24 define axis of rotation 26
and corresponding axial direction 28.
Rotor 14 and stator 18 are in magnetic communication with each
other. Rotor 14 is in magnetic cooperation with stator 18 to
develop torque. Each of rotor 14/poles 16 and stator 18 have a
construction that is operative to direct magnetic flux toward and
away from each other. In some embodiments, rotor 14 may include
other operative sources of magnetic flux, e.g., bus bars, windings
or both, in conjunction with or in place of permanent magnets
16.
Stator 18 includes a laminated stator core 30. Stator windings 20
are disposed within passages 32 in laminated stator core 30. In one
form, stator windings 20 are copper conductors. In other
embodiments, aluminum and/or other conductor materials may be
employed in addition to or in place of copper. Stator windings 20
are constructed for magnetic communication and cooperation with
poles 16. Stator windings 20 have overhangs 34 that extend beyond
the ends of stator core 30, e.g., extend to the left and to the
right of stator core 30 (in the perspective of the view of FIG.
4).
Housing 22 includes an endplate 36 disposed at one end of housing
22 and a second endplate 38 disposed at the other end of housing
22. In one form, endplate 36 is a non-drive end endplate, and
endplate 38 is a drive-end endplate, or pulley endplate. In other
embodiments, endplate 36 may be the drive-end endplate, and
endplate 38 may be the non-drive end endplate. One or both of
endplates 36 and 38 may be integral with housing 22. In some
embodiments, housing 22 also includes a conduit box 40, which may
or may not be integral, depending upon the embodiment. Other
embodiments may not include a conduit box.
Bearings 24 are constructed to react shaft 12 and rotor 14 axial or
thrust loads in axial direction 28, and to react shaft 12 and rotor
14 radial loads perpendicular to axis of rotation 26. Housing 22 is
constructed to enclose stator 18 and react loads associated with
stator 18, e.g., torque loads and any other loads generated due to
magnetic interaction between stator 18 and rotor 14 during the
operation of electrical machine 10. Housing 22 is also constructed
to react thrust loads delivered through bearings 24.
In order to increase the power density of electrical machine 10, it
is desirable to provide cooling, e.g., liquid cooling. Accordingly,
embodiments of electrical machine 10 include provisions for
providing liquid cooling of rotor 14 and/or of stator 18, e.g., of
the stator windings 20, in particular, the winding overhangs 34.
For example, rotor 14 includes a plurality of cooling passages 42
extending therethrough from one end 44 of rotor 14 to the other end
46 of rotor 14. In one form, the cooling passages 42 are
oil-cooling passages for passing oil to remove heat from rotor 14.
In other embodiments, other liquids or fluids may be used as heat
transfer fluids. Each cooling passage 42 includes an inlet 48 for
receiving cooling oil and an outlet 50 for discharging the oil.
Referring also to FIG. 2, non-limiting examples of cooling passages
42 for an IPM rotor 14 are illustrated. In the example of FIG. 2,
air pockets between permanent magnets 16 are used as cooling
passages 42. The shape of cooling passages 42 may vary with the
needs of the application. In other embodiments, cooling passages 42
may also or alternatively be formed at other locations. For
instance, in another non-limiting example, cooling passages may be
formed in air pockets adjacent to permanent magnets 16 in the same
cavities in which the permanent magnets 16 are located, such as
cooling passages 42A. The shape of cooling passages 42A may vary
with the needs of the application. For surface-mounted permanent
magnet rotors, cooling passages 42 may be disposed between and/or
radially inward of the permanent magnets.
Referring also to FIG. 3, non-limiting examples of cooling passages
42 for an induction rotor 14 are illustrated. In the example of
FIG. 3, cooling passages 42 are formed radially inward of induction
rotor windings or bars 52. In other embodiments, cooling passages
42 may also or alternatively be formed at other locations. For
instance, in another non-limiting example, cooling passages may be
formed in air pockets adjacent to rotor windings or bars 52 in the
same cavities in which the rotor windings or bars 52 are disposed,
such as cooling passages 42B. The shape of cooling passages 42B may
vary with the needs of the application.
Referring also to FIG. 4, some aspects of a non-limiting example of
electrical machine 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention are illustrated. In the embodiment of FIG. 4,
electrical machine 10 includes an end plate in the form of an oil
distribution member 60, and at least one oil delivery nozzle 62. In
one form, oil delivery nozzle 62 is stationary, and directs oil
across an air gap to a rotating oil distribution member 60. Oil
distribution member 60 has a radially inward portion 64 and a
radially outward portion 66. Radially outward portion 66 is
disposed adjacent to the inlets 48 of the cooling passages 42,
e.g., adjacent to and radially outward from inlets 48. Oil delivery
nozzle 62 is constructed to discharge and direct oil toward
radially inward portion 64 of oil distribution member 60. The oil
discharged by oil delivery nozzle 62 may be in the form of one or
more oil sprays, one or more oil streams and/or one or more oil
drips. Oil distribution member 60 is constructed to receive the oil
discharged by oil delivery nozzle 62, and to direct the oil to
inlets 48 of cooling passages 42 to cool rotor 14.
Oil distribution member 60 is coupled to rotor 14, and is
constructed to rotate with rotor 14. In some embodiments, all or
part of oil distribution member 60 may be integral with or part of
rotor 14. In one form, oil distribution member 60 is conical, e.g.,
cone shaped or the frustum of a hollow cone. The cone angle may
vary with the needs of the application. In other embodiments, oil
distribution member 60 may have any suitable geometric shape,
another non-limiting example of which may be a bucket shape. Oil
distribution member 60 includes an inner surface 68 and an outer
surface 70. Oil delivery nozzle 62 is constructed to direct oil to
the inner surface 68 of oil distribution member 60. For example, in
some embodiments, oil delivery nozzle 62 is spaced apart axially
from oil distribution member 60, e.g., across an air gap, and for
example, is located to the right of oil distribution member 60 in
the depiction of FIG. 4. In such embodiments, oil delivery nozzle
62 may be constructed to direct the oil to a rotating surface 72,
e.g., of rotor 14 or shaft 12. Rotating surface 72 is constructed
to sling the oil radially outward and into contact with inner
surface 68 of oil distribution member 60. In other embodiments, oil
delivery nozzle 62 may be located radially inward of all or a
portion of oil distribution member 60, and may direct oil directly
at inner surface 68 of oil distribution member 60. Rotating oil
distribution member 60 is constructed to trap the oil received from
oil delivery nozzle 62 using inner surface 68 and to increase the
pressure of the oil, e.g., in the manner of a centrifugal pump, and
to supply the pressurized oil to inlets 48 of cooling passages 42
with enough pressure to force the oil through cooling passages 42.
Rotating oil distribution member 60 traps the oil radially, and
traps the oil axially in such a manner as to prevent oil flow in a
direction away from the rotor, and permit pressure buildup due to
centrifugal force. Cooling passages 42 permit the trapped oil to
escape through the body of the rotor, providing cooling to the
rotor.
Oil distribution member 60 is constructed to drive the cooling oil
received from oil delivery nozzle 62 into the inlets 48 of cooling
passages 42, and along and through cooling passages 42 to cool
rotor 14, and to discharge the oil from outlets 50 of cooling
passages 42, e.g., based on the oil pressure generated by oil
distribution member 60. For example, due to the location of the
cone-shaped radially outward portion 66 of oil distribution member
60 being proximate to inlets 48 of cooling passages 42 and inner
surface 68 being radially outward of inlets 48, the oil pressurized
by oil distribution member 60 is driven by the pressure into inlets
48 of cooling passages 42, is driven along the length of cooling
passage 42 and is then discharged out of cooling passages 42 at
outlets 50 of cooling passages 42. A subset of stator winding
overhangs 34, i.e., stator winding overhangs 34A, are disposed at
least partially directly radially outward of outlets 50 of cooling
passages 42. Outlets 50 are constructed to discharge the oil
received from oil distribution member 60 via cooling passages 42,
and to sling the oil outward, e.g., radially outward, and into
contact with winding overhangs 34A on the left side of FIG. 4 to
cool overhangs 34A with the oil.
In some embodiments, one or more oil delivery nozzles 62 are also
or alternatively constructed to direct oil to the outer surface 70
of oil distribution member 60. In some embodiments (not shown), one
or more oil delivery nozzles 62 are also or alternatively
constructed and positioned to direct oil to outer surface 78 of end
plate 76 to sling the oil radially outward for additional cooling
of overhangs 34A. In various embodiments, the oil may be directed
in the form of one or more oil streams, oil sprays and/or oil
drips. In some embodiments, separate oil delivery nozzle(s) 62 may
be employed to direct oil to the outer surface 70 of oil
distribution member 60 and to inner surface 68 of oil distribution
member 60.
Oil distribution member 60 is disposed at least partially directly
radially inward of a subset of stator winding overhangs 34, i.e.,
stator winding overhangs 34B. Oil distribution member 60 is
constructed to sling the oil outward, e.g., radially outward, and
into contact with winding overhang 34B to cool winding overhang 34B
with oil. Thus, in some embodiments, one or more oil delivery
nozzles 62 may be employed to direct oil to both the inner surface
68 and outer surface 70 of oil distribution member 60. In some such
embodiments, oil distribution member 60 may be constructed to
provide oil cooling to rotor 14 and to stator windings 20, e.g.,
winding overhangs 34, simultaneously, by directing oil from the
stationary oil delivery nozzles 62 across an air gap 74 to the
rotating oil distribution member 60. In some embodiments, an end
plate 76, e.g., a cone shaped end plate similar in shape to oil
distribution member 60 may be employed on the opposite side of
rotor 14 for balancing purposes. In other embodiments, end plate 76
may have any suitable geometric shape, or may have a different
profile, e.g., a cone facing in a direction opposite to that
illustrated in FIG. 4. Some embodiments may not include end plate
76. The outer region of cone shaped end plate 76 is radially inward
of outlets 50 of cooling passages 42, e.g., and thus does not
present an obstacle to oil flow through outlets 50 and the slinging
of cooling oil onto overhangs 34A.
In some embodiments, oil delivery nozzle(s) 62 may be controlled to
selectively vary the amount of oil directed to stator overhangs 34A
and/or 34B, and/or vary the amount of oil directed to rotor 14,
i.e., to cooling passages 42. For example, at some operating
conditions, it may be desirable to direct more oil to cool stator
overhangs 34A and 34B, whereas in other embodiments, it may be more
desirable to direct more oil to cool rotor 14 via cooling passages
42. In some embodiments, a rotation of one or more oil delivery
nozzle(s) 62 may be controlled to selectively vary the amount of
oil directed to inner surface 68 and outer surface 70 of oil
distribution member 60. In some embodiments, valves may be employed
to control oil flow through one or more discharge openings in oil
delivery nozzle(s) to vary the amount of oil directed to inner
surface 68 and outer surface 70 of oil distribution member 60
and/or to vary the amount of oil directed to stator overhangs 34A
and/or 34B, and/or to vary the amount of oil directed to rotor 14,
i.e., to cooling passages 42.
Embodiments of the present invention include an electrical machine,
comprising: a stator including a plurality of stator windings; a
rotor in magnetic cooperation with the stator, the rotor including
a plurality of cooling passages extending therethrough, each
cooling passage including an inlet for receiving oil and an outlet
for discharging the oil; a rotating oil distribution member coupled
to the rotor, the oil distribution member including a radially
inward portion and a radially outward portion, the radially outward
portion being disposed adjacent to the inlets of the plurality of
cooling passages; and a stationary oil delivery nozzle constructed
to discharge oil toward the radially inward portion of the oil
distribution member, wherein the oil distribution member is
constructed to receive the oil discharged by the oil delivery
nozzle, and to direct the oil to the inlets of the cooling passages
to cool the rotor.
In a refinement, the oil distribution member is coupled to the
rotor and is constructed to rotate with the rotor.
In another refinement, the oil distribution member is conical.
In yet another refinement, the stator windings include a winding
overhang disposed at least partially directly radially outward of
the outlets of the plurality of cooling passages; and wherein the
outlets are constructed to discharge the oil and sling the oil
outward and into contact with the winding overhang to cool the
winding overhang with the oil.
In still another refinement, the oil distribution member includes
an inner surface and an outer surface; and wherein the oil delivery
nozzle is constructed to direct the oil to the inner surface.
In yet still another refinement, the oil delivery nozzle is
constructed to direct the oil to a rotating surface; and wherein
the rotating surface is constructed to sling the oil radially
outward and into contact with the inner surface of the oil
distribution member.
In a further refinement, the oil distribution member is constructed
to increase a pressure of the oil received from the oil delivery
nozzle.
In a yet further refinement, the oil distribution member is
constructed to drive the oil into the inlets of the cooling
passages, along and through the cooling passages and to discharge
the oil from outlets of the cooling passages.
In a still further refinement, the oil delivery nozzle is
constructed to direct the oil to the outer surface of the oil
distribution member.
In a yet still further refinement, the stator windings include a
winding overhang; and wherein the oil distribution member is
disposed at least partially directly radially inward of the winding
overhang and constructed to sling the oil outward and into contact
with the winding overhang to cool the winding overhang with the
oil.
In another further refinement, the oil delivery nozzle is spaced
apart axially from the oil distribution member.
Embodiments of the present invention include an electrical machine,
comprising: a stator having a plurality of stator windings, the
stator windings including a first overhang; a rotor in magnetic
cooperation with the stator; an oil distribution member coupled to
the rotor, the oil distribution member being disposed at least
partially directly radially inward of the first overhang; and at
least one oil delivery nozzle constructed to discharge oil toward
the oil distribution member, wherein the oil distribution member is
constructed to sling the oil outward and into contact with the
first winding overhang to cool the winding overhang with the
oil.
In a refinement, the rotor includes a plurality of cooling passages
extending therethrough, each cooling passage having an inlet for
receiving the oil; wherein the oil distribution member is
constructed to direct oil to the inlets of the cooling passages and
through the cooling passages to cool the rotor.
In another refinement, the stator windings have a second winding
overhang; wherein each cooling passage includes an outlet for
discharging the oil, and wherein the outlets are constructed to
sling the oil into contact with the second winding overhang to cool
the second winding overhang with the oil.
In yet another refinement, at least one oil delivery nozzle is
constructed to direct the oil to a rotating surface; and wherein
the rotating surface is constructed to sling the oil radially
outward and into contact with the oil distribution member.
In still another refinement, the oil distribution member is
constructed to increase a pressure of the oil received from the oil
delivery nozzle and supply pressurized oil to the inlets of the
cooling passages.
In yet still another refinement, the oil distribution member is
conical.
In a further refinement, the at least one oil delivery nozzle is
spaced apart axially from the oil distribution member.
In a yet further refinement, the oil distribution member includes
an inner surface and an outer surface; and wherein the at least one
oil delivery nozzle is constructed to direct the oil to both the
inner surface and the outer surface.
In a still further refinement, the at least one oil delivery nozzle
is constructed to vary the amount of oil directed to the inner
surface and to vary the amount of oil directed to the outer
surface
In a yet still further refinement, the oil distribution member is
constructed to provide oil cooling to the rotor and to the stator
windings simultaneously.
In another further refinement, the at least one oil delivery nozzle
is constructed to vary the amount of oil provided to the rotor and
to vary the amount of oil provided to the stator windings.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in
the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be
considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it
being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been
shown and described and that all changes and modifications that
come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be
protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such
as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in
the description above indicate that the feature so described may be
more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments
lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the
invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In
reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as "a,"
"an," "at least one," or "at least one portion" are used there is
no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless
specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language
"at least a portion" and/or "a portion" is used the item can
include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated
to the contrary.
Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted,"
"connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are
used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings,
connections, supports, and couplings. Further, "connected" and
"coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections
or couplings.
* * * * *
References